Upgrade from TW Acustic Raven AC-3 to what?

Well, unfortunately it is not the way to success (whatever this will be) to think, that a design has to be better when it is more expensive. Probably you should look for a better design instead of a more expensive one.

I guess you can try Clearaudio. To some Clearaudio tables sound analytical to them. To me, it is very spacious and focused, but be careful matching it with the right equipment. In my opinion, Clearaudio stuff is usually very detailed, spacious and open sounding. Again, some say it is analtyical.

Go for a Micro Seiki SX 8000 or SX 8000 II. You will start wondering what kind of worlds do exist.

What Syntax wrote is the Truth.

"Hi Jfrech, good as the AC-3 may be, there must be room for improvement, otherwise TW wouldnt have come up with the Black Knight..." Not necessarily.

More expensive does not equal better. But if you are really unhappy in the ways you state, the tonearm, cartridge, and maybe even the phono stage must also be called into question. Meantime, for a different take on turntables, you should sample an idler drive or a direct-drive tt. There is no better idler in the world than the Saskia, and it costs less than $50K. For direct-drive, you can consider the Grand Prix Monaco or any of the vintage Japanese greats, like the Technics SP10 Mk3, Kenwood L07D, Pioneer Exclusive P3, Onkyo PM100, Denon DM100, etc. None of those latter will cost you anywhere near as much as a full-up Raven AC3, let alone $50K. For even less money, consider a Lenco L75 or Garrard 301/401 in a state of the art plinth. Really, it's a different world. You owe it to yourself to at least stick your toe in the water.

If you have the money to spend, I see no issue in going to Black Night or the da Vinci to match your tonearm / cart combo and both should do more of what you are looking for.
Dgad might want to add some comments here as he has gone from AC-3 to BN and he states it is very much more open and not dark at all.

I somewhat agree that the AC-3 can be a little dark sounding and a touch warm in the upper bass - however I luv that trait about the AC-3 as it is a long way from stark and lean.

Lewm is correct, a very nice vintage DD or a GP Monaco should have a tighter bass.
I just bought an Exclusive P3 DD table and the biggest difference between that and the AC-3 is the way it drives and controls the bass. There is no upper bass bloom or overhang and it controls the bass and subsequent mid and upper bass with precision. This gives you a more clarity in the upper bass and lower mid range.

As with anything, there is no free lunch and with some recordings this is perfect, with others the AC-3 is clearly preferable.

Going the vintage DD route will cost less than your cartridge and you will get a 2nd turntbale which is always good. You can then play whatever table suits the style of music you are playing, as there is never a best of anything.

you have many choices available, so have fun